John A. “Jack” Dantinne

John A. “Jack” Dantinne, 91, passed away July 28, 2010 peacefully at the Glen in the Willow Valley Retirement Center.

Born in Orwell, NY, his family then moved to southern New Jersey where Jack spent his childhood and eventually graduated from Salem New Jersey High School. He was the eldest son of George F. and Lillian M. Dantinne and had three siblings, younger brother Dave of Ocean City, NJ, Harold who died in action during World War II service and a sister Joyce who passed away several years ago.

He was married 63 years to “the love of his life” Ethel Theresa Castor who died in 2009. That union produced the love of “their life,” their family, the ultimate joy for both. Four children and spouses: daughter Lois Ripley of Sterling, VA, son Harold and Connie Dantinne of Lancaster, PA, son John and Kelly Dantinne of Millersville, PA and daughter Deborah and Robert Burker of Ruxton, MD. This family extended to 10 grandchildren: Lauren and her husband Todd Barber, Leah and husband Jed Spencer, Lindsey Ripley, Peter and Jay Dantinne, Adam, Travis, and MacKenzie Dantinne and Megan and Brooke Burker, followed by 3 great-grandchildren: Riley Spencer, Aidan Spencer and Gavin Barber.

He served 46 months in the Navy during WWII engaged in various invasions on mine sweeping operations in the South Pacific. During that time, he was awarded a presidential and two Navy Unit Citations.

Upon Naval release, he graduated from the University of Delaware. He went on to have a successful career as an executive in the agricultural field starting with Baugh Fertilizer Company, W.R. Grace and ending by purchasing Lancaster Bone Fertilizer headquartered in Quarryville, PA until retirement. Although Jack paved a successful financial career, he would be proud to be best remembered for helping to initiate several groundbreaking state organizations in PA and NJ. His role in promoting agriculture and commercial fertilizer in the east, later spread across the US. Jack’s final career achievement earned him the honor of serving as a board member on the Fertilizer Institute in Washington, D.C. for the promotion of sustainable agriculture in the US.

He was an avid and excellent bridge player, an avid but average (at best) golfer, a member of the Lancaster Pirates, and an original member of the West Lampeter Park Board.

He would appreciate and should be remembered as a loving husband, friend and caring father and grandfather.

Services and interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions be made in Jack’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, 3701 Pender Drive, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22030, Reference: Memory Walk Team Unforgettables.